Here's One Rumored Detail About the Next Xbox That Piques My Interest

Much of the recent talk about Durango, the code name for the next-generation Xbox, has been about its rumored always-online requirement. Aside from the fact that you'd need an Internet connection in order to use the system, this would also supposedly block the use of secondhand games, potentially eliminating used game sales, game rentals, and maybe even something as simple as borrowing a game from a friend. It's difficult to imagine for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the disadvantage it would put Microsoft in if Sony doesn't do the same with the PlayStation 4. As with everything we're hearing, even if that is the plan right now, Microsoft could end up changing its mind before the system hits, though these reports do still make for interesting points of discussion. The latest report brings yet another detail fans will likely rage over, but it also promises a feature I find myself immensely interested in.

Undoubtedly the most noteworthy bit of information reported by Kotaku today involves the role Kinect will play in the next Xbox. A new iteration of the motion-sensing device will be included with every sold system, something that doesn't come as a major surprise considering the prominence of Xbox 360 bundles that pack in a Kinect sensor. What is unexpected is the fact that Kinect will have to be connected and set up for the console to be used.

No matter how improved it may be -- and it does look as if this version of the device is far superior to its predecessors used on 360 and PC -- this is something that could bump up the cost of the console and turn off a segment of gamers who have no interest in anything Kinect has to offer. By including it with every system and making its setup compulsory, developers will be able to use it without greatly limiting the potential audience for the game or feature in question, as is currently the case with Kinect on 360. However, no matter what kind of advancements Microsoft is able to making with Kinect's technology, there's no guarantee Durango owners will have the space or the inclination to use Kinect. Then again, the initial motion-heavy use for Kinect on 360 has given way to more usage of its voice recognition capabilities, a trend that may continue regardless of how many more people or minuscule things the Durango version can track visually.

As someone who keeps his Kinect plugged in at all times for the sheer convenience of navigating the dashboard and Netflix with voice commands, I don't personally find this distressing. But I do think Microsoft risks digging itself into an early hole if it amasses a long list of "musts" -- you must be connected to the Internet at all times, must buy your games new, must plug in Kinect, must pay to play online -- that aren't anywhere to be seen on competitors' platforms.

Kinect isn't the only requirement being reportedly added to that list, either, as game installations will be mandatory for each and every game. That's an annoyance we've seen this generation more times than any of us would like, particularly on PlayStation 3. Thankfully, it does sound as if the process will be less painful this time around, as games can be designed in such a way that you can begin playing while installation is handled in the background. If this is true of every game, filling up the 500GB hard drive the system is said to come with might not be an especially difficult task, in which case I wonder if Microsoft continues to charge a major premium for upgrading hard drive capacity. If it does, suddenly having to install every game becomes even more of a burden.

Although this may all sound like a collection of reasons to temper your excitement about the next-gen Xbox, there was one thing I found myself getting excited about, even if it is something that's not necessarily brand new. Multitasking will be possible on the Durango, allowing you to suspend a play session in one game, hop over to something else, and then return to the spot you were at in the first game without having to return to a checkpoint or save game prior to the point you left off at. On the 360, there is little you can do while playing a game beyond accessing your friends list, messages, and the like; jumping into another a game is certainly out of the question. Leaving a game to do something else and then resuming your progress on mobiles is sometimes, but not always, supported, and the Wii U's multitasking is limited to Miiverse and the same sort of things as on 360.

Having a full-blown suspend feature intrigues me for a number of reasons. For one, I frequently pass the time by playing an Xbox Live Arcade game while waiting for friends to come online and play something. When they are ready, more often than not, I'm in the middle of a game and then have to either abandon what I'm doing or rush to finish up. This rumored Durango feature would relieve me of this situation and make it a lot easier to do something like watch Netflix or play a game, occasionally going over to Skulls of the Shogun for a turn in its asynchronous multiplayer mode. Should they be brought back, it would also make using Twitter or Facebook apps, or the browser, more useful.

It's unclear if this feature would only make it so that multiple things can be running at once, or if you could also suspend a game session, turn off the console, and resume it later. I'm hopeful the latter proves to be the case, as there's no reason, beyond the technical side of it, gamers shouldn't be able to stop and start playing at any time. Limiting them to saving only at particular times has long been an archaic practice, particularly when we've seen many games use temporary "save anytime" options that prevent exploits. Combine this with quicker boot-up times, and we'd really be talking.

Perhaps it's due in part to being a positive detail among a sea of potentially disappointing things, but I am very much looking forward to multitasking support, even if it is something we should reasonably expect from the next Xbox and PlayStation 4 both. That's especially true considering the hardware they're said to be equipped with. The specs we've heard about previously has only been true of development kits, rather than the hardware we'll actually see on store shelves, but Kotaku says it's heard Durango will end up including an eight-core, 64-bit CPU to go along with a DirectX 11 video card and 8GB of RAM. Exactly how that will ultimately compare with the PS4 remains to be seen; there was a great deal of discussion about how the PS3 and 360 compared years back, and they ended up with very comparable games, save for the occasional port that is superior on one or the other.

We don't yet know exactly when Microsoft plans on revealing the next Xbox, or the extent of the features it will offer. Multitasking will be a much-appreciated one, but it's going to need more than just that in order to convince people to plunk down however many hundreds of dollars it costs -- particularly if it also requires owners to install every game, always be online, and set up Kinect in order to play.

eh I don't know

used game sales are already protected under the law and if microsoft locked themout of the next system, I forsee alot of antitrust lawsuits from gamefly, redbox, blockbuster and gamestop just to name a few. And, you know how much microsoft hates antitrust lawsuits. Also I'm sure that microsoft realizes that a full third of their customers dont even have internet access and even less have broadband withlout data usage limits.

I hope

Good Bye Xbox

if the new console block the use of second hand games, requires owners to install every game, always be online, and set up Kinect in order to play, I'll just stick to my Xbox 360 and maybe embrace Playstation 4. GUARANTEED.

Microsoft (aka the Suxors ~ref 'Ready Player One')

In the pursuit of draining every last dollar from their customers pocket & researching new ways to do this Microsoft is going to require gamers to install an always-online video camera that constantly feeds them info on who is doing/wearing what in front of the tv. That should be frickin illegal as hell. I love my kinect for navigating the dashboard & controlling netflix (& skyrim & ME3) but I love it as an option that I can yank out & toss it through the window on a whim.

Second they're doing what they can to prevent gamers from sharing/borrowing/renting games that somebody already paid $60+ for. Either buy that 4 hour crappy game brand new or don't play it at all. I as well as a lot of other people use Gamefly but I also buy games both new & used. So from Microsoft's perspective, f*k me, those other gamers like me & f*k every rental company in the world.

I'm not keen on the multi-tasking features either as it seems like it will result in the need for a task manager because the system is bogged down with a billion open apps just like my phone is right now.

At the end of the day the next Xbox is looking like a high maintenance chick w/it's list of must-have's that don't enhance my experience. I'd rather date the friendlier chick that just wants to play with me...whether that's Sony or even Nintendo if it comes down to it. In other words, if these rumors have any truth to them I won't be purchasing the next Xbox (or possibly the next Playstation)

Really?

In a way I hope they make these 'musts' happen and I hope that it flunks, big time. That way they realize what the players want. As far as having kinect with it, like others, I don't have kinect on my 360 and don't see a need for it. Sure it's useful for Netflix but other than that most of the games seem kiddish to me and more towards family rather than me, a male gamer. My final say is; if they make it so you can only play games you buy as well as not being able to borrow a friends to play. Then the cost per game should decrease quite drastically. The cost of the system, kinect, online and the game altogether sounds obnoxious, not counting the hassle that comes along with it all.

Installation

...

The two things that would concern me the most are the no used/borrowed games and that kinect will be sold w/ every system. I'm sure Gamefly is hating this news about only new games being able to be played. This would basically force them into digital only to stay solvent IMO. And the no borrowing games? I have a ton of Xbox 360 games and me and my friends always loan each other games we dont have, so this is a major concern for me. Another thought is single play only games that dont neccessarily require an internet connection are the games i would buy used (Borderlands, Fable, Fallout, Assasins Creed) those titles online is not the main attraction and i wouldnt care if i got that or not, or do what EA does and purchase an online pass with a used game would be a simple solution. I really hope MS realizes this is not the correct path.

All about it

Im all for it. I could careless about the only being able to play your own... i dont think anyone rents games anymore and i could careless about saving a couple bucks on a used game at gamestop,, I dont mind needing the internet al the time, the only thing im worried about that is what if a blizzard hits and my internet is out. i could care less about gettin a xbox subscription, its not laggy and ive never had to deal with any bs i hear playstation goes through and yeah its fin 5 dollars a month who gives a crap. Oh kinect a requirement doesnt mean the games are going to use. It doesnt mean your going to have stand up to play halo lol,,, i think its cool because of voice shit. Otherwise its up to the games if they want you to move around. I love xbox always have since it came out. I do like playstation also. But these really arent any bad ideas i can understand people not being able to afford games all the time so i can see why people wouldnt be up for it. Im worried about the always connected to the internet just incase of a blizzard and shit lol. Happy gaming

Mandatory Kinect

I feel like most people are missing a key point with microsoft opting to make kinect mandatory. It will lead to an extra 100-150$ price tag. With the next playstation and xbox consoles having about the same specs, it looks like the xbox720 is going to be more expensive than the ps4. Unless Microsoft decides to eat the price of including a kinect. That sounds like it would be a huge gamble so it's going to be interesting to see how it turns out. Most people I know had a lot of fun with Kinect when it first came out, but just like the wii, the gimmick wore of quick and now I rarely hear people using it. And for Microsoft to make that the basis of their next gen system, it sounds like they're a little out of touch.

Durango

If those are the requirements, and that console is probably less powerful than my PC (which I bought on ebay for $650, upgraded the video card to a 7870, sold the 9850 in it, so that was only $100, OCed to 4.3 ghz easy core i5 2500k, 90 GB ssd, 1 TB 7200 rpm HD, dvd burner, blu ray/dvd burner combo, 8 gigs ram, have my awesome wireless logitech g930 headphones for $70 on sale, hooked up to my beatiful 1080p LED) than theres no point in it. My PC comes awake from sleep in like 2 seconds and steam is better anyway, hardly have played my 360 lately. Only real exclusives xbox has is halo, forza and gears anyway. Hopefully ps4 isn't like that. I don't think it'll be that bad though when it comes out, it would really really hurt the gaming business imo, alot more devlopers and publishers would be shutting down after a few years. I think the bigwigs need to realize that yes were hardcore gamers but their only games, and people have alot of options.

I'm excited

...about all the new features and strengths that these new systems have in store. I've been a console/PC gamer since the day One, so I don't care about not being able to trade, sell, run off disc, blah blah blah. This is a hobby, not a way of life. It doesn't offend me if the hobby changes from generation to generation, I'm cool with change, it always happens. Everybody remember to relax and have fun, these things are for entertainment purposes only.

Exclusive xbox player alert :p

"there was a great deal of discussion about how the PS3 and 360 compared years back, and they ended up with very comparable games, save for the occasional port that is superior on one or the other."

What happened was that any number of multiplatform games run extra shader operations over the cell-processor, by feeding it unchanged shader-code (that would otherwise run on the graphics card). See several games like this - the xbox version of Battlefield 3 has static lighting, for example, and dynamic lights on the ps3. DmC runs with more effects on the ps3-version than the xbox version. You also can't say that the hardware didn't prove itself, after seeing things like the sand in journey, or the animation in Uncharted, or the dynamic model detail in WipeoutHD.

The next generation won't have any of that, though. It'll generally be a step down from the specialized strenghts the ps3 had, while also ending up below your average gaming PC. But it's going to be the opposite when it comes to graphics superiority this time around, since the xbox kit is the most interesting. If anyone adds extra fast or complex node-generation code, comes up with a clever way to do hit-detection through partially destroyed terrain, that sort of thing - it's going to be on xbox exclusives first, while the second rate solution will go to the ps4.

You heard it here first, folks

Don't believe rumors

The Kinect requirement may likely be true and won't pose much of an issue if it comes with every XBox, but don't believe the DRM until it's announced by both companies. These guys make dozens of crazy absurd patents every year, most of them never get past the design stage laid out in the patent. It's just them scooping up potential assets like patents and covering their asses should a competitor bring something similar to fruition. It doesn't mean anything until you hear it from both companies themselves.

Also mandatory installs that start behind the scenes are not a problem in my eyes. These machines will come 500 GB HDDs because they want to sell you digital content and if it boosts the performance of the games thats all the better. My guess is that most any install will be less than 5 GBs in size which isn't that much room. Truth be told I'm more intrerested/concerned with the ability to download and install the entire game again. It's a great feature I always used because I really only play a handful of titles at most at any given time. I think I have like maybe 4 or 5 on my HDD now because that's how many are in my rotation at any given time. Same goes for Steam games.

Exactly, it's not going to happen.

You block your used games? Say goodbye to half of your casual supporters.

I agree with this guy. It would be a dumb business decision to follow through with this rumor. It's not going to happen and it if it does, the new systems will be considered launch failures when the sales numbers start roling in.

Ouya and Steam Box are lining up to give a swift kick in the nuts to Microsoft and Sony. The leading developers wouldn't be this blind and shackle themselves.

3min?

Maybe my brand new PS3 is broken. I don't play on it much, but the last thing I install on my PS3 was the Ni no Kuni demo. I had to wait to download it (no problem) and then I had to wait to install it too. 3min? More like 15min! I walked away and got caught up playing games on my 360. Another game that took longer than 3min was God of War 3. It also took more than 3min to install Yazuka 3. With your 300 games, I think you would know, not all games are created equally. If all your installs are 3min, then you have one hell of a PS3. Awesome. I'm not that lucky.

I never said it took forever. I just said it took too long. What makes it's worse, it's mandatory. I don't have a choice if I want to play the game.

something is wrong.

I did mean from the disc. I did make a mistake though. It wasn't GoW3, it was Little Big Planet: GOTY that I thought took a long time to install. It was probably because of the dlc. I've heard MGS4 has a long install too. I have the game, but hadn't played it yet. I plan to put it in to install and when I'm really ready to play it, the install will already be done.

And I just don't understand why demos have to be installed. I don't have that problem on the 360. You wait on the download and when it's done, you play. Maybe the install is mixed in with the download?

Microsoft

Mindless? Shooters?

I am lost how people blame Microsoft for shooters. They have Halo which is far from mindless and have Gears of War. They have Perfect Dark during the 360 early days. Why do people like you and others refer to it as a shooter console? Sony has Killzone and Resistance. One more than Sony makes them get labeled? Are we going to blame third parties who see a stronger market for their shooters on the 360?

There are a lot of rpgs.

I'm playing one now.

The Witcher 2. There is also Dust: An Elysian Tail (I just finished that one), Dragon Age, Dragon's Dogma, Bastion, Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls, Kingdoms of Amalur, Fallout, Infinite Undiscovery, Lost Odyssey, and there are more games, I just hadn't played them yet. The rpgs are there. You just have to go get'em. I actually own all these rpgs and more. I even own Enchanted Arms.

That's cool, I can play my PC instead. It was your decision, not mine. lol

If I wanted always-online-DRM and blocking of used games I would play on my PC instead. Steam even beats out consoles considering the wealth of sales they have.

Last console cycle they tried to take over our living rooms. Now it feels like they are trying to take over our lives. I don't need or want XBOX Live, Facebook integration, Netflix, A CAMERA ALWAYS WACHING ME, or any of the other intrusive crap they are trying to shove down our throats.

Wii U is the first console I have passed on in a lonng time. I do plan on getting one when they upgrade this 32gig flash drive hdd foolishness and give us a real system. There is a very good chance I'll be passing on both the XBOX and the PS4 at this rate, too. I can stick to building myself a brand new PC every two years like I have been.

These companies are going to fall flat on their faces if they release consoles in this descrbied fashion. It will be funny to watch if they actually go through with it. I'm not even angry. The supposed DRM won't even last, their businesses would fail. As consumers, we have a wealth of choices these days. I truly wonder if the drones of Call of Duty and Madden xbox live players who will blindly buy anything microsoft no matter what will ruin things for the rest of us in the short term.

Fall flat?

Nope. If both do it, then it will be common place and not everyone will flock to the Wii U that won't have a lot of Sony and Microsoft's games and console gamers won't flock to the PC considering its the same practice and can be argued why weren't they PC gamers before this.

in response

No. Accepting a 32gig flash drive in a 'next gen' console in 2013 is idiotic. Have you even played games this generation, noticiing how many of them require massive installations?

Many gamers would also argue that supporting Microsoft Xbox in 2013 is idiototic after numerous red rings and years of XBOX Live extortion. The online services of Sony are more than adaquate in most situations, and it's free. You want to pay for Live? That's your prerogative.

XBOX security is a joke so I have no idea what you are talking about. I have two friends that have had their accounds hacked and after months of phone exchanges with microsoft they were never able to get their accounts back.

You XBOX defenders are blind fanboyism at it's finest. The ONLY thing Xbox does better than its competition is Live services and you pay a ton of money for it. You could have built your own PC six years ago for that kind of money instead if you wanted. Do I really have to mention the RROD? Most supporters are on their third XBOX. I can't name one person that is still using their day1 XBOX. In the history of gaming there has never been a console with this many widespread problems.

@Xcite79

And yes, the consoles will indeed fall flat if they choose this type of New Games only + always-online DRM. Informed, educated, patient consumers have no reason to support this. I have shelves and shelves of back-catalogued games still wrapped, waiting to be played. Maybe you have no self-control but a large number of people won't buy the new systems and it will be reflected in sales figures and 3rd party support. You can't even argue against that. That's a fact. Not everyone is going to break down and buy the system anyways. I can tell you that pretty much every one of my close friends my age that own an Xbox/PS3 won't be buying a Durango or Orbis. Even before this speculative news they were on the fence and this would be the tipping point. The companies could, you know, offer the consumer some benefits or advantages in supporting their products. But so far, there is no indication of that happening.

"a ton of money"

Live is $5 a month. $5! I love how some people think that's so much money. :D

As for RROD... I love how people attack MS over it but forget the fact that Sony's consoles had problems too. Sony's PS1s and PS2s had issues with disc errors and were breaking down a lot. That's 2 generations of consoles. People don't say anything about Sony, but continue to jump on MS about console malfuctions. :D

Going back to the hd, 32GB is not bad if Nintendo continues to do what they're doing. The Wii doesn't have mandatory installs, unlike the PS3. If the Wii U is the same as the Wii, then Nintendo is still good.

Now, I do have to agree with Nothing371 about online drm and no support of used games. It will hurt console and game sales. No all of us can afford to buy consoles and games brand freaking new. Many people will wait for price drops. MANY.

$5 a month? Try $300-400 total since 360 release.

You could have purchased a second system for other first party exclusives or built that 'expensive' PC instead.

@jgusw

I have day1 PS, PS2, and PS3 that all still work. I have NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, and Wii that do the same. How about you? Are you the first person I've met that is still on their day1 Xbox?

Sure you could buy an external HDD for the Wii U. I'm sure many people are doing just that. But considering living room tidyness, wire management, etc, it's a point of principle that they should have included a larger HDD. This is probably not an issue for most people. I just know without a doubt they'll release a much more attractive Wii U bundle around Christmas.

Ahh yes, which leads to a different INDUSTRY-WIDE pandora's box discussion about DLC, GOTY editions, and other business practices that screw over the early adopters, the foundation of support. This is a major problem that needs to be addressed. Thankfully there has been a small amount of recognition in this area in a few different instances but this problem is a BIG one. Support your day1 supporters!

oh please

I'm sure you spend more money on fast food than you do on XBL. And I'm sure you're spending way more on games. Do you have cable? This cat wants to add up the years, now. Like you would of saved $5 a month for years just to own another console. If you have to do that, maybe playing videogames is not your thing. Maybe you should save your money for food, clothes, a home, or just get a better job. :D

Dude, please. I'll try to do this without insulting you.... If you have a day 1 PS1 and PS2, then you are truly blessed and I hope your fortune will continue. Now, with that out of the way, Nintendo actually makes great consoles and handhelds that last. I would buy a used Nintendo system without any problem. It wasn't till the release of the PS1 that I ever thought a console required a warranty. You don't believe me, then ask around. Maybe you live in an area that's filled with pixie dust and unicorn milk and your consoles live forever, but many of my friends and myself went through several PS1s and PS2s. I knew many people that were on their 4th PS1 because they broke. The PS2s weren't as bad, but they were getting close. I remember reading an article in Game Informer years ago about a guy that worked for Capcom Japan accussing Sony of selling faulty hardware so they could sell more systems. But, you don't have to believe me. What do I know? Maybe I'm an idiot that can't take care of his consoles. Why don't you ask around and see the number of people that bought more than a couple PS1 and/or PS2s.

As for XBs, I own an original XB, though I bought it used. I've had a couple 360s. But it's fine, I don't have to save $5 a month for years to buy another one. I guess I'm blessed in that way. I just got a PS3 a little less than a year ago, so I can honestly say it can last a year. Though, so did my 360.

Programmed consumerbots

All you are blessed with is blind fanboyism for Microsoft. You're being ignorant to an article and responses that are all about basic economics.

$400 is $400. I like how you try to take a dig at me like I'm poor or something, yet you miss the point entirely. Microsoft nickle and dimes you with something they could just as easily could have given to you for free. And Xbox does nothing that PCs don't do better.

You've bought two xbox 360s (what do you want to call that? $700? $800). You have also paid around $400 for Live assuming you were an early adopter. Did you buy Kinect hmmm? Is it starting to sink in yet?? No? k. You keep on ballin, and I'll keep on laughing.

Look my man, the only one being ignorant is you. :D

Take a look at my page. I try to get all the consoles. Yeah, I enjoy playing games on the 360, but I'm a huge fan of the PS2 and other older consoles. Just because I'm defending MS on XBL and the 360 doesn't mean I don't think they have bad practices. I dig into you because you like to pretend you know what you're babbling on about. You jumped on MS about faulty 360s and I just wanted to level the playing field by informing you Sony did the same thing for 2 generations. Did you ever get a chance to ask around about that, by the way? :D

You wrongly try to insult me, but I'm just calling you out on you misinformed bullshit. Don't take it personal. You're the one lashing out at me with your programmed insults, as if you reharshed them. I lost track of the times I've seen the words, "programmed consumer bots" or "blind fanboyism for MS", yet I'm the bot? :D

Here's a little more info about myself: I don't buy consoles on day one. I buy them when the price drops and there are games on it I want to play (its the reason I waited so long to get a PS3). So not only did a wait a few years before getting a 360, I also didn't get XBL right away, so your math is a bit off. I spend my money on GAMES. And I try to save money at any chance I get. You think spending $5 a month is dumb. I don't. I enjoy the service. Just because people on other systems have it for free doesn't take away the vaule I get out of XBL. This is an old arguement. Let it go. You're not going change me and I'm not in no way trying to change you. k. You want to talk about "nickle and dimes" lets talk about dlc. We'd probably agree about that. :D

I don't know who you are, but you're coming across as a child. If you are a child, how about you shut the hell up and stay out of grown folks business. If you are an adult, then act more like one. Compose yourself and come back with a better arguement.

I'm not trying to be your enemy, man. But you, sure as hell, not making it easy. I personally don't have conversations with kids. I don't have the patience for them. They're usually misinformed and attack out of frustration. Kind of like you. :D

He has "nothing" left to say.

My guess is that he's some kid that thinks he knows what he's talking about. I doubt he even has all those consoles. An original PS1 and PS2 from day 1 release still working? Yeah. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's sure as hell highly unlikely.

I remember going through more than a few NESs too. I made it to 4. And for all that is holy, don't start blowing on your carts. There goes your carts and system. I miss those days though.

Nice one. Where did you come up with that? (scroll up two posts)

You've admitted you don't purchase systems day one. So I guess you have no frame of reference then huh? That kinda makes your opinon of just about everything in this thread (and comments) non-applicable.

You don't know the difference in reliability between a first version PS3 and the decrease in quality in subsequent models like the slim due to the reduction of manufacturing costs and lowering MSRP. You aren't aware, or won't admit, doesn't matter, about the quality issues surrounding the early versions of the 360 for the first few years of its life leading up improved hardware in recent years after countless consumer complaints and hardware issues. Multiplpe NES, PS3s, 360s, etc also show a likelihood that you don't take care of your systems. Yet you insinuate that I'm lying about my hardware reliability, which I'm not. (4 NESs LOL)

You play Skyrim, Mass Effect, and Witcher on your Xbox and you're going to tell me a thing or two about gaming hahaha. That's a riot.

"We're through here"

As fun as this is, I'll gladly stop but you seem to enjoy making an ass of yourself. :D

Now, I may not have given you the details, you what I wrote you is true. FACT. And you continue to go on about what you assume is fact. That's how I know you're a child. Many childern do stupid stuff. It's okay, you'll probably grow out of it. :D

"You don't know the difference in reliability between a first version PS3 and the decrease in quality in subsequent models like the slim due to the reduction of....." zzzzzz

Are you serious? :D Are you trying to muddy the issue. You said, "I have day 1 PS1, PS2, and PS3 that all still work". So, I guess that was all bullshit. I guess you didn't get them on release day? What, did you get them a year ago? Are you too young to undestand the words you're using? When people use "day1" it means the original release date, but now you want to backtrack and bring up different versions. NICE. :D

Then you question the care I take in my systems? You still didn't ask around did you. Dammit dude, there were lawsuits filed on Sony about console breaking down! :D LOOK IT UP. I guess it's true, "you can bring a jackass to water, but you can't make them drink". :D I never said the RROD didn't exist. Hell, it happened to me and many of my friends. :D

Then you assume you know me. I don't even own Skyrim. Not that I wouldn't like to. I'm assuming you still hadn't checked my page either.

Look man, I know you're a kid. I've been gaming for 30 years and I know what you're trying to say. My advice to you is to do some research before you go off on bullshit. The more you write the more it is obvious you don't know what you're babbling about and you're making yourself look stupid.

But hey, do what you want. This is a bit fun. My facts against your imagination. :D

Now, you've lost your mind. :D

What in hell is this? "Nvm the RROD epidemic Soh knee has lawsuits" I understand actual typos, but damn. And, I'm dumb? I'm an old dude. I only understand actual English. :D

It's obvious that you're getting a bit disturbed over this, so I'll let you go. You're not even making sense anymore. Are you having a breakdown? I'm starting to feel bad for you. It's not right that I keep making fun of you with your mental disability and all. I won't response again after this. I am truly sorry. :(

Agreed

Yes you are dumb, old, and very bad at this. Stick to your games, because you suck at internet discussions. Next time don't butt into someone elses post with accusatory interogation and patronizing conjecture and then appear miffed at why they respond poorly.

Saving up for something

So by the end of this year, with both of the next next generation platforms fully expected. I'm going to set aside some money that is going to go to something to better my entertainment collection. Now this is a light assumption, but I think for the same money I could get any one of these supposed next systems, a couple launch titles, and maybe an accessory I could most likely throw a new harddrive/processor and graphics card in my humble pc rig and be ready to go gaming.

That being said, 30 meters is the length of ethernet cable I need to keep a constant, good connection to anything I own. The wireless signal struggles through walls and drops constantly on the playstation. Always on internet DRM isn't gonna jive with me.

Overreact much?

I don't really see why people are wigging out because the Xbox may require the Kinect to function. Didn't nearly all the Wii games require the motion control? Which did require the motion sensor. And I am not saying every game had to function with the motion sensor.

It's less...

about the kinect always being on, and more about the Kinect being an actual video sensor, compared to an infared sensor. The kinect watches you, and apparently this new kinect can differentiate between you and your friends.

I don't like the idea of spending 500 bucks so HAL can watch the horrible things I do on my futon. Or interrupting me mid-game with a well-timed "I'm afraid can't let you do that, Dave."

So...

Everyone love to complain

Almost everything that Microsoft and Sony are rumored to do is everything that PC gamers have. People forget that this is a buisness. These companies are trying to find ways to save them money. Every time you buy a used game, the developers lose money.

PC gamers...

Except for one thing

It's become so accepted in PC gaming because of just how low priced games get on Steam. Something that just doesn't happen on the consoles. You think once they've kiboshed used games that Sony and Microsoft will suddenly pull a Valve on pricing? I don't think the industry realizes how much of the money from used sales goes into new sales. I know anecdotally of one guy who buys his games new, plays them, sells them back to EB right away and then uses his credit to put towards new games. You think he'll buy as many new games when he can't sell them when he's done.

The losing money on used games is the same as the piracy fallacy. Every used game purchase is not the same thing as a new game loss of purchase just as every pirated game download is not a lost new game purchase.

Sound Point

That's a good point I hadn't really considered, frankie, but you're right--selling back used games is how many gamers afford to buy new ones.

Nevertheless, I'm all for actually owning the games I pay for (and selling them if I want to), but that concept will vanish in another 5-10 years as games go entirely on-line. Movies aren't far behind, and books, the last holdouts, will eventually succumb as well.

These changes loom...

...ominously over Microsoft and Sony. Meanwhile publishers are giving Nintendo the cold shoulder once again, helping to ensure they lack relevance and influence at a time when their behind-the-times approach would actually benefit the gamer. Hooray for the future of gaming.

Mind you

It's not as simple as giving Nintendo the cold shoulder. Third-party software by and large doesn't sell well on Nintendo's platforms, and so publishers make the choice you'd expect them to under the circumstances.

MegaCorporations for the Win

So much for the concept of ownership and the rights it entails, assuming the lockouts on the upcoming consoles are true. Of course, gamers will first rant and complain, but then still buy the system in droves. (As was the case with the on-line passes debacle).

What is harder to understand is why Microsoft and Sony simply don't bypass the controversy altogether and let the so-called used game problem solve itself--after one more generation, everything will be digital-only anyway, thus forever banishing that awful notion of actually owning something you pay for.

As for the next Xbox's improved Kinect support, that was a forgone conclusion all along. I'd be shocked if that tech wasn't integrated with the console somehow; now perhaps we'll finally get to play Milo, hop in front of out TVs without having to rearrange the living room, and have true, Minority Report-style control of our media.

Of course, we'll probably all be conned into subsidizing the system through one of Microsoft's special financing "deals" just to afford the thing, but that's speculation for another time.

This

I kind of feel the same

Remember when you could put the game in, flip the power switch, and the game would just start? No fuss. That's what I want. This sounds like a diet PC, and I don't need a diet PC because I have a real one thanks. At least there's still Nintendo.

I'm curious

I know a lot of people say this, and sometimes it's my initial reaction to feel like this, too, but I know I'm going to buy these consoles all the same, and not just because of my job. If you really do go through with not buying them, what will you do? I assume you're not going to abandon gaming altogether, so will you simply pick up Wii U and forgo all of the games that don't come to the system (and there will be many of them in a few years)? Will you build a gaming PC?

re: thesmokingmanx

I don't know about other gamers out there but I haven't played as much as I could of the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Xbox, PS2, GC game offerings or other games from past systems before them. If this is the fate of gaming I got enough games I can play on current/prior consoles to keep me happy for the rest of my years.

Sure the trade off is no longer being able to play the lastest games or play multiplayer but that's the price I'm willing to play than pay the price the console makers expect us to pay (twice) just for the preveilage on playing their newer systems.

sure there is also the Wii U but I could find another hobbie. My leather bound book collection could use some more tomes. And my lone assult rifle is feeling a bit lonely...

re: thesmokingmanx

PC Gaming is a real option here. The system described in this article has all of the disadvantages of a PC (obtrusive DRM, no used market, higher cost), none of the advantages of a PC (upgradable, cutting edge graphics, more control options, Steam sales, modding), and a couple disadvantages unique to this product (mandatory kinect, paid online service, high HDD cost). It makes it difficult for me to grasp who the audience would be for something like this. People have, off-and-on, been declaring PC gaming dead for years now; that obviously turned out to be false, but maybe it's time to start worrying about the future of console gaming..

@thesmokingmanx

What will I do instead? I'm not exactly sure but with all the money I'll save I'm sure I can find plenty of new ways to occupy my downtime. Besides I'm actually becoming dissatisfied with modern gaming even without these alleged restrictions. Gaming today is just killing things from one beautifully detailed environment to the next. I've been doing that for over 20 years and I'm not interested in doing it again with better graphics. Last years E3 was the icing on the cake for me when it came to game violence. Even games like Bioshock infinate and The Last of Us turned me off. I know some claim the stories give the violence context unilke say Gears of War. But, to me thats like comparing a steamy porn scene that revels in its naughtiness and a steamy porn scene between two people that really really love each other. Either way your watching hardcore porn, only one way is being very pretentious about it.

I am so not kidding when I say I'll never buy these systems if the do this stuff (not the Kinect crap, I'm neither here or there with that). If games are going to do the same thing just with better graphics anyway then I really wont be missing much.

@thesmokingmanx

It is what learningKnight said. For years and years consoles were superior to PCs. Granted PCs were always better in the graphics department, but the user experience was so much better on consoles that the trade was more than worth it to me. However slowly consoles have started adopting more and more PC like practices and PCs have meanwhile gotten easier and easier to use. The last thing that PCs had against it that consoles didn't was the whole DRM issue. If consoles go in that direction too then the question seriously becomes "Why am I spending $400 on this instead of just upgrading my graphics card?"

But like I say, Nintendo has thankfully avoided a lot of this. I already have a Wii-U and I am quite happy with it. I really think I may skip these new systems or at least wait until they are way reduced in price.